[nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide

Sat Apr 13 17:22:09 UTC 2013

Seeing Eye does not do vet stipends like GDB does.  We have full ownership 
upon graduation and we are expected to take care of all costs for the care 
of our dog.  I think TSE will help someone whose dog incurs a catastrophic 
illness or injury that is real expensive and needed to save the dog's life.

I know people who go to GDB BECAUSE they help with vet payments.  For me, 
I'd rather have my dog outright with no stings attached and pay all my 
expenses for my dog.  Many vets will offer discounts for assistance dogs and 
I do make use of that as I am low-income on Social Security.  My vet also 
allows for a payment plan if I couldn't pay all at one time.  In California, 
the State gives a monthly payment of $50.00 to help towards expenses.  this 
is for all low-income service dog owners and one must qualify for it.

I wonder how long the schools who do stipends will actually be able to 
sustain that with the costs of doing business rising.  To me, this feature 
is a factor that people use in deciding what school to go to and that is 
fine with me.  Everyone's own situations differ and each person has to make 
decisions based on their own circumstances and there's really no "right" or 
"wrong" in this matter.  It is what it is.

Oh, Eve, I forgot to say in the previous post that I'm not a big fan of full 
Golden Retrievers.  I haven't owned one myself but lived with one.  What I 
don't like is that alot of them seem to be timid and "crack" easily, 
especially for city work.   You have to coax them along and I'd rather a dog 
that is strong and sturdy and confident.  This may be the reason why more 
schools are breeding Lab/Golden crosses to take the best from both breeds. 
Goldens tend to be "too soft" and Labs tend to be "too hardheaded and 
stubborn" and the crosses make a nice blend.  I know one nice and sturdy 
Golden and that's good.

Have a good day, folks!

Lyn and Landon
"Asking who's the man and who's the woman in an LGBT relationship is like 
asking which chopstick is the fork" - Unknown
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eve Sanchez" <celticyaya at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide

> Just curious. Reading all the posts, there is a lot of mention of
> veternarian assistance. I am wondering if all the schools provide
> assitance of some type. I heard specifically that GDA does and I know
> that Pilot does. What of the others? As I said, just curious. Eve
>
> On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 8:46 AM, Eve Sanchez <celticyaya at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Oh I knew I would get it for that. It's just a personal prejudice I
>> guess. I wont own one. Never have. Well, I actualy have owned two dogs
>> that were each one quarter lab, but I didnt admit it often. Cant
>> really say as to why. Just experiences I have had I guess and dont
>> bother trying to change my mind. No one can. I have a golden retriever
>> right now. My last dog was a german shepherd. I know that not all dogs
>> in a breed are alike, but I cant get over my prejudice I guess. I do
>> know that for some reason I could tolerate yellows much better than
>> blacks so I am wondering if it might be a childhood thing.  Never
>> really thought about chocolates one way or another.  Well, sorry, but
>> that's how I feel. ;X Eve    Oh and I know it is not black dogs in
>> particular that I do not like. We had a black pitbull once that was a
>> sweetheart. Her name was Loca and she thought she was a chihuahua.
>> Again, sorry.
>>
>> On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 5:39 PM, Lyn Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net> 
>> wrote:
>>> Hi Eve,
>>> What kind of dog do you have?  What do you not like about Labs? I like 
>>> to
>>> hear why people like certain breeds or why they dislike certain breeds. 
>>> Many
>>> schools are using Lab/Golden crosses now.  Landon is one and he matches 
>>> my
>>> red hair - and he has more grey than I have! LOL!
>>>
>>>
>>> Lyn and Landon
>>> "Asking who's the man and who's the woman in an LGBT relationship is 
>>> like
>>> asking which chopstick is the fork" - Unknown
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eve Sanchez" <celticyaya at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 2:53 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide
>>>
>>>
>>>> I myself would not worry about the location unless you want your
>>>> training to double as a vacation. haha  I believe all schools will
>>>> take you no matter where you are with maybe a couple of exceptions
>>>> like one in NY and one in Texas. I myself chose based on multiple
>>>> things. The breeds available, the amount and type of training avalable
>>>> and yes, assitance and support afterwards. Ideally I would have gone
>>>> to San Rafael as I am from Northern Cal originally and still have
>>>> family right there, but I did not under any cercumstance want a
>>>> labrador (no offense people). The school I chose have a variety of
>>>> breeds, yes including poodles for the allergic. They also have
>>>> Dobermans, shepherds, boxers, labs, goldens, and vizlas. I probably
>>>> spelled that last one wrong. Once in a while they have crosses like
>>>> labradoodles. Most are bred for the program and some are donations by
>>>> breeders they work with. All are screened for suitability. The
>>>> training process is there at the facility as I would have been very
>>>> uncomfortable doing it at my home. Just me, but as I was also in
>>>> process of moving it made sense. Look at all the schools online, call
>>>> and talk to their staff, and make your own decision. I could tell you
>>>> that my school is best, but it may not be best for you. Either way, be
>>>> prepared, there will be people found who could tell you what is wrong
>>>> with each school. Again, judge for yourself. I am also thinking you
>>>> are not even sure at this point if a dog is right for you. For this I
>>>> will tell you the same thing. When I struggled with this, I had some
>>>> very opinionated people tell me why I should not get a dog. I also had
>>>> sympathetic wusses tell me it would be wonderful for me to be taken
>>>> care of. What finally helped me decide was an incident in which I was
>>>> left alone in a park and had no idea where I was. I realized at that
>>>> moment that, though a cane helps me be safe, it does not tell me where
>>>> to go. A cane is also crappy companionship when on your own. When I am
>>>> in an unknown area with my dog, though some people say this is not
>>>> true, I could tell my dog to find the sidewalk or whatever. She will
>>>> and then once I have a landmark, I have my bearings and can go on from
>>>> there. Yes, a cane is safe, but a dog gets you places AND is safe. You
>>>> decide though and talk all that we say with what you think it is
>>>> worth. Blessed Be. Eve
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 12:10 PM, Chantel Cuddemi 
>>>> <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> I chose Pilot Dogs because they trained standard poodles, the breed I
>>>>> chose
>>>>> to train with, and I also chose Pilot because they're right here in 
>>>>> Ohio.
>>>>>
>>>>> Good luck with whatever school you choose.
>>>>>
>>>>> Chantel and Motley.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Anjelina 
>>>>> Cruz
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 10:31 AM
>>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide
>>>>>
>>>>> Good morning all,
>>>>> I am currently a cane user who recently has been interested in
>>>>> choosing a dog guide school. How did you choose your school?
>>>>> Thanks for any feedback.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Anjelina
>>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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